Quibbles & Bits

. . . At 8:29 the other night, between the KCBS telecast of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” Tritia Toyota appeared on a newsbreak to tell viewers, “A little baby dies of cocaine poisoning. Who’s to blame? The story at 11.” Pleasant dreams, little ones.

. . . Rubbing it in: Turner Broadcasting Sales--the premiere film colorizers--is sending a holiday greeting with four crayons (yellow, green, red and blue) and the message, “Happy Holidays and a Colorful New Year.” And it’s embellished with b&w; drawings of famous film types like Vivien Leigh (as Scarlett), Bogie, Kate Hepburn. Ted Turner’s there too--as a snowman.

. . . In the Danny DeVito-directed “Throw Momma From the Train,” his character goes on and on about what a terrif job Hitchcock did with “Strangers on a Train” (inspiration for “Throw Momma”). OK, Mr. Director--but how about contributions by Raymond Chandler and Czenzi Ormonde, who scripted from Patricia Highsmith’s novel?

. . . We decided to pass up the screening of Spectrafilm’s “Anguish” after reading this line from the synopsis: “As Alice (John’s mother) unleashes her powerful psychic powers, John is content to tend to his ever-growing collection of eyeballs kept in alcohol. . . .”

. . . Did you wonder? Fox TV’s “Wilton North Report” derives its name from Wilton Street, which borders Fox TV Square, and the North Building, where the program’s produced.